Chichester psalms, canticles, and anthems
by Ann Scott Russell
The August bank holiday weekend 2024 and the choir heads east on the M27 to visit a renowned ecclesiastical venue – Chichester Cathedral
A modern day pilgrimage
At the entrance to Chichester cathedral the visitor is greeted by a rather stern figure of St Richard – the most famous Bishop of Chichester (1244-53). This statue, created by Philip Jackson at the turn of the last millennium, is near another point of interest; the unique detached medieval bell tower. Richard was canonized in 1262 and Chichester became a popular site of pilgrimage.
Our packed singing schedule included Saturday Evensong and Sunday Mattins alongside the more familiar Sunday Eucharist and Evensong.
Before each service the choir gathered in the North Transept alongside local artist, Lambert Barnard’s many “representations” of the Bishops of Chichester – a series of striking complete and incomplete portraits dating back to Tudor times. However, the Saturday service was more representative of the Stuart era with Gibbons short service canticles and one of Purcell’s earliest surviving anthems, the bewitching “ O God, The King of Glory” taking centre stage. All sung from the fabulous medieval Quire with some carving dating back to the 1330’s – the select congregation in with us too!
No rest for the wicked…
First thing on Sunday we reconvened from far and wide (some stayed local, others commuted) to tackle music from the 19th and 20th centuries – Stanford’s canticles (Te Deum in C, Jubilate in C) and Harris’ haunting “Let my prayer come up” (originally composed for Queen Elizabeth II coronation).
Then it was back to the 16th century for Choral Eucharist with Mass for 4 voices by Byrd and O Sacrum Convivium by Tallis. This time, the larger congregation in the nave were separated from us by the striking Arundel Screen.
A marathon, not a sprint
After refueling and regrouping in the cathedral song school, we were ready to showcase our talents at Evensong. We tackled the familiar Howells Gloucester service with confidence and gusto before finishing with a modern anthem written by Welsh composer William Matthias. His “Doctrine of Wisdom” both complex and thought-provoking made me reflect on the sheer variety of beautiful old and modern choral works we have in our repertoire and how lucky I am to have the opportunity to sing them.
